Israeli Knesset Moves Bill Labeling UNRWA as Terrorist Group Forward

In a significant development from Jakarta, the Knesset, Israel’s Parliament, has passed a preliminary bill that labels the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) as a “terrorist organization.” This bill, introduced by Knesset member Yulia Malinovsky from the right-wing Israeli Party Beiteinu, received a vote of 42 in favor and six against during its initial discussion phase.
Should the bill become law, it will serve as a foundation to apply Israel’s anti-terrorism laws to UNRWA, potentially leading to the criminalization of the organization under Israeli law. This includes the cessation of any communication and relations between Israel and UNRWA and the closure of the agency’s offices within Israel.
This move comes despite an independent assessment affirming UNRWA’s pivotal role as the sole provider of humanitarian aid to Palestinian refugees, with no viable alternative organizations. The report, conducted by three research institutes and led by former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonona, found UNRWA to have comprehensive mechanisms ensuring its humanitarian objectives and adherence to neutrality principles.
Critically, the assessment also highlighted that Israel has not provided concrete evidence to support its allegations against UNRWA, including claims of the agency’s compromised neutrality and accusations of staff involvement in a Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023.
The decision to proceed with the bill has sparked controversy, considering UNRWA’s recognized efforts to maintain neutrality and its sophisticated approach to humanitarian aid, as compared to similar organizations. The unfolding situation raises concerns about the future of humanitarian aid for Palestinian refugees and the broader implications for Middle East peace efforts.